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As South Africa commemorates Human Rights Month in March, we pause to reflect on the invaluable sacrifices made during the struggle for democracy. The month has built up to the observance of Human Rights Day on 21 March 2025, a day dedicated to remembering those who fought for the freedoms and human rights that we now enjoy. However, this day of remembrance is also a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles that persist within our society, particularly the fight for safety and dignity.

In light of the most recent crime statistics released by the South African Police Service, we must confront a chilling reality. Between October and December of 2024, South Africa saw an average of 14 rape cases every single day, with a total of 1,353 reported cases. In addition, 1,957 sexual offences were recorded, translating to approximately 21 incidents per day. These numbers, though statistics on paper, represent real people – women, children, and families – whose lives have been shattered by the very violations that Human Rights Day seeks to commemorate.

This stark contrast of celebration and continued suffering underscores the work still to be done to ensure that every South African enjoys the right to safety and dignity. The theme for Human Rights Month 2025, “Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights,” calls on us all to reflect on the ideals embedded in our Constitution and to renew our commitment to making these ideals a lived reality for all citizens.

The events of 21 March 1960, when 69 unarmed protesters were gunned down by apartheid police in Sharpeville, stand as a painful reminder of the cost of the fight for equality and justice. The Sharpeville Massacre exposed the brutality of a system built on racial oppression and the denial of human rights. Today, we honour those who lost their lives in the struggle and acknowledge the freedoms we now enjoy under democracy. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Cultural Affairs and Sport Thomas Walters said: “As we reflect on the history of our country and the progress we have made, let us also acknowledge that the struggle is far from over. We call on all South Africans to use this Human Rights Month to foster unity, to build social cohesion, and to recommit to the values of justice, equality, and respect for all people. We must work together to eliminate racism, xenophobia, gender-based violence, and all forms of discrimination and violence that continue to haunt our society.”

Let us honour the memory of those who fought for our freedom by continuing the fight for a safer, more inclusive future for all.

Issued by Thomas Walters, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Cultural Affairs and Sport